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Housing & Redevelopment Authority

The Belle Plaine Economic Development Authority exercises HRA powers as provided under Minnesota Statutes and authorized by the City Council. The EDA works to ensure a complete housing supply is available to all Belle Plaine residents. The EDA also supports and encourages redevelopment and rehabilitation as cost-effective means of maximizing the public’s investment in existing infrastructure and leveraging private sector investment.

Take Advantage of the 2018 Housing Incentive Programs & Grants

Facade and Energy Efficient Improvement Matching Grant:

Purpose

The purpose of the Façade and Energy Efficiency Improvement Grant Program is to encourage energy efficiency, renovation, and/or rehabilitation of existing housing stock located within the City of Belle Plaine with façade and/or energy efficient improvements. Homeowners of low or moderate income may annually apply for assistance under this grant program in an amount of up to $1,000 in matching funds.

Goal

Reduce blight in residential neighborhoods in the City by providing assistance to persons with low or moderate incomes for the purpose of renovating or rehabilitating existing homes with façade and/or energy efficient improvements.

Availability

Each applicant may apply for up to $1,000 in assistance under this grant program by submitting the attached application to the HRA. Homeowners will be required to provide matching funds for the renovation or rehabilitation. EDA Staff will review the grant applications approve the amount of the final grant to the extent funds are available. The Façade and Energy Efficient Improvement Grant Program will be administered under written policy and procedures to the extent funds are allocated and available to the grant program by the EDA Board. The grant program will be funded in the amount of up to $10,000 in 2018.

Applicant Eligibility

Grants under this program are available to owners of single family homes and multi-family residential projects that are located within the City of Belle Plaine (including persons who have a property interest in a home or multi-family residential project pursuant to a contract for deed). Applicants must apply for the Façade and Energy Efficient Improvement Grant Program by completing the attached application and providing evidence that the improvements to be made are related to a façade improvement and/or energy efficient improvement. In addition, owners of single family homes must satisfy the income criteria set forth below or provide evidence of blight on their properties. Owners of multi-family residential projects must provide evidence of blight on their properties.

Low or Moderate Income

In order to obtain a grant under this grant program, owners of single family homes must provide evidence that he or she is of low or moderate income (or provide evidence of blight on their properties, as described below), as determined by the Low (80%) Income Limits for Scott County, Minnesota, reported annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il/il2017/2018summary.odn

Blight Findings

In order to obtain a grant under this grant program, owners of multi-family residential building must provide evidence of blight on their properties. Blight determinations shall be made by Community Development Department staff, based on communications with the owner of the multi-family residential building and in-person review of the building sites. A "blighted area" means any area with buildings or improvements which, by reason of dilapidation, obsolescence, overcrowding, faulty arrangement or design, lack of ventilation, light, and sanitary facilities, excessive land coverage, deleterious land use, or obsolete layout, or any combination of these or other factors, are detrimental to the safety, health, morals, or welfare of the community.

Eligible Uses for Grant Funds

Proposed improvements must conform to the City of Belle Plaine’s Zoning Ordinance. Eligible improvements include façade or energy efficient improvements such as replacement windows, replacement doors, re-roofing, residing, masonry repair, foundation repair, water heaters, HVAC units, and furnaces. Solar energy panels or other energy efficient heating and cooling mechanisms are also eligible improvements. Painting, landscaping, and lighting may be considered providing additional eligible activities are proposed. All labor and design costs are reimbursable with grant proceeds. Labor must be incurred through the work of a qualified contractor, and does not include sweat equity. All energy efficient improvements must satisfy the energy efficiency requirements on file with the EDA, which are based on energy efficiency provisions of the State of Minnesota building code.

When Payment Made

If an applicant is provided a grant under this program, the grant will be paid once the applicant provides the EDA with all invoices for the work completed by a qualified contractor or equipment purchased. The EDA will process payment for one-half the amount of the invoices, with a maximum amount of the grant awarded. No invoices for work completed prior to the award of the grant will be reimbursed with grant funds. Such invoices must be submitted to the EDA within one year of the award of the grant under this program.

Right to Deny

The Belle Plaine Economic Development Authority has the right to deny any application based on its discretion.

Single Family Home Down Payment Grant:

Availability

The purpose of the Single Family Home Down Payment Grant Program is to encourage ownership of newly constructed single family residences within the City of Belle Plaine. Applicants may apply for down payment assistance in an amount of up to $2,000 upon purchase of a newly constructed home. The newly constructed home must be completed with the assistance of at least one contractor with its business located in the 56011 zip code and be a newly built home.

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants must apply for the Single Family Home Down Payment Grant Program within 30 days after the closing on a home located within the corporate boundaries of the City of Belle Plaine. The home must be new construction (new home permit issued) and not occupied prior to purchase, and at least one contractor that worked on the construction of the home must have its business located in the 56011 zip code. Applicants must intend to live in the home for at least one year. Applicants may not apply for assistance under the Single Family Home Down Payment Grant Program for rental properties. If the Applicant sells the home or converts it to rental property within one year of occupancy the grant authorized and distributed under this Program must be repaid to the Belle Plaine HRA.

Low or Moderate Income

In order to obtain a grant under this grant program, owners of program eligible single-family homes must provide evidence that the combined household income is at or below the Low (80%) Income Limits for Scott County, Minnesota, reported annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at: https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il/il2017/2017summary.odn

When Payment Made

If an applicant is provided a grant under this program, the grant will be paid once the applicant moves into the completed home and provides evidence to the HRA that a down payment in, at least the amount of the grant, was paid by the applicant. The applicant will also need to provide a copy of the deed and proof of filing homestead on the property.

Right to Deny

The Belle Plaine Economic Development Authority has the right to deny any application based on its discretion.